Give teens a chance – Foster with Bucks

Joseph Baum, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services & Education said:

“When it comes to fostering, teens can sadly get overlooked in favour of younger children due to the preconception that a teenager will be more difficult to care for. Often however, their age, maturity and increased independence can make caring for this vulnerable age group easier and more fulfilling.

“This age can be a particularly good match if you work. But ultimately, fostering a teenager can make a huge difference to their future - it provides them with opportunities to learn vital skills before adulthood.”

During August and September, the council’s Fostering team is inviting people to consider whether they could foster teens and help build their future. They’ll be myth-busting, exploring the science behind teenage brains, and speaking to some current foster carers to share more about their experiences of fostering teens.

Steve and his wife have been fostering all ages of children with Buckinghamshire Council for the last seven years. They went into fostering when their own children were in their 20s and they were approaching the empty nest stage of life, but others foster with younger children in the household too.

The couple explained: “The teens, you don't have to pick them up and carry them or put them in car seats or whatever. And you know, it's more about helping them and being a mentor and advisor and a parent figure rather than some of the practical stuff. So, we sit down, and we talk about how they manage friendships, how they manage money, how they manage homework and what GCSEs or A levels or what university course they want to go to, and that's rewarding.

“One of the things we've really noticed is you can make a huge difference. You know you can give them some advice and they take it on board and then they change. Seeing their confidence grow, and you’re proud of their achievements. You feel like it's like your own children getting exam results.

“It's just great seeing them having new experiences, just like standing on a pebble beach, throwing stones into the windy sea, and seeing the waves coming out there. It's normal childhood experiences, but they've never done it before. So, to share that is special.

“Matching is really, really important, but as long as the matching is right, it doesn't have to be difficult.”

Find out more about fostering teens with Buckinghamshire Council, follow @FosterBucks on Facebook, or try out the FosteringReady tool which helps people to find out more and create a personalised plan.